Technical Officer - North West

National Energy System Operator Limited; Manchester; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on company performance

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme with company match

NESO Savings Plan with 50% match

Job summary

National Energy System Operator Limited is seeking a Regional Energy Planning Lead to drive RESP inputs for the North West, coordinate geospatial data and engage local government and energy stakeholders. You will shape regional energy plans, develop methodology, validate regional data and work within the RESP team to deliver credible plans aligned with net-zero goals.

The role requires strong technical energy sector knowledge, experience with energy vectors, and excellent communication to

Qualifications

• North West regional understanding and lived experience.
• Technical energy sector knowledge including energy scenarios.
• Whole energy system understanding with vector experience.
• Experience with energy distribution/transmission companies.
• Geospatial data modelling experience in energy planning.
• Ability to validate data and apply methods/assumptions.
• Translate complex technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Stakeholder engagement with internal/external parties.
• Strong project management and coordination skills.
• A curious mind and ability to connect the dots.

Responsibilities

• Lead region-specific energy planning inputs for RESP products.
• Develop and consult parts of RESP methodology for your region.
• Own regional geospatial energy inputs validation.
• Operate within a matrix RESP team structure.
• Represent NESO's regional planning to local government and stakeholders.
• Engage stakeholders to obtain required inputs.
• Collaborate with Hub on geospatial visualisations for insights.
• Create new analyses and presentation approaches.

Skills

Regional energy planning

Geospatial data modelling

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Communication to non-technical

Tools

Geospatial visualisation tools

Job description

About The Role

The RESP nations and regions need to reflect regional characteristics and priorities, driving whole energy considerations across all energy vectors. Think renewables, heat decarbonisation, hydrogen, energy networks, transport and flexibility! And how each region’s needs differ, yet come together in forming the Great British energy plan.
To achieve this, we have national and regional based teams – to work alongside our other teams in forming the hub and spokes needed for energy planning to benefit from and reflect local inputs.
Developing the RESP will require us to work with organisations at a local level ("local actors") including local government and gas and electricity networks, to improve understanding of the infrastructure needed in different parts of the country and attract investment for projects. Stakeholder engagement will be key to unlocking the benefits of integrated regional energy planning.
The purpose of this job is to lead engagement with technical audiences and coordinating technical and data interfaces with the Hub and other national / regional teams in developing RESPs.
Having an understanding and lived experience of the North West will be key.
Our focus in the immediate term is to build trust with our stakeholders, establish our process and methodology, and grow our capability in whole energy systems to best support local actors and industry stakeholders in developing credible plans to support net zero.
Climate change is the challenge of a generation, and the time to act is now. Join us and you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you will be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come.

Key Accountabilities

• Own and understand technical specific aspects of your region’s energy system planning inputs into developing the RESP – e.g., understanding the data flows and design of the RESP products, as well as understanding the whole energy system (electricity networks, gas networks, other vectors)


• Develop, consult and implement parts of the RESP methodology within your region


• Ownership of obtaining and validating regional geospatial energy inputs


• Work in matrix style structure within the wider RESP team


• Represent NESO’s regional energy planning function to local government and energy stakeholders


• Understand, engage and gain required and beneficial inputs from stakeholders


• Work with Hub team in developing geospatial visualisations to support regional insights


• Create new ways to analyse and present problems and potential solutions

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

About You

• Understanding and lived experience of the North West


• Technical experience within and knowledge of the energy sector, including of energy scenarios


• Understanding of the ‘whole energy system’ with experience in one of the energy vectors


• Experience working with or within energy distribution and/or transmission companies


• Understanding and experience of geospatial data modelling, ideally applied in energy planning


• Understanding and experience of applying comment methods and assumptions and validation of data


• Ability to translate complex and technical information into easily understandable messaging for non-technical audiences


• Experience of communicating with and influencing internal and external stakeholders


• Project management, coordination and planning skills


• An inquisitive mind with the ability to join the dots and a willingness to learn

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of £56,000 - £66,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, NESO's core benefits are the essential perks and advantages that form part of your employee package.

• - You will receive a bonus based on company performance


• - 26 days annual leave as standard


• - A competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%


• - Annual Enrollment to NESO Savings Plan, when you save between £20- £500 a month from your take-home pay, we will pay a 50% matching contribution.

Benefits

• Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading


• Additional Birthday Day Off


• Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts


• Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030.
In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users.
Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value.
The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future.
Your energy. Our future. Together
National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

More Information

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.
Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment
We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. If this role sparks your interest but you're not sure you tick every box, we still want to hear from you. process where everyone has the opportunity to show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds.